The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in English language arts. The lowest is 18% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary School
Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Marrero, an unincorporated community on the West Bank of the Mississippi River within Jefferson Parish. The school is a regular public school operated by the Jefferson Parish Public School System. With an enrollment that places it at a size typical of an elementary school in this setting, Collins draws from a surrounding area that is densely populated suburban in character. The community is car-dependent, with most residents commuting by vehicle to work, and the commercial corridors along main roads provide the primary retail and service activity. Health care is a notable sector locally, and the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve is a nearby natural anchor offering bayous and trails.
The student body reflects the demographics of the area. A substantial share of families qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a community where economic need is a factor for many households. The student population is majority Black, with Hispanic students forming the next largest group, followed by White students, and smaller shares of Asian students and students of two or more races. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available; this is a gap a parent may want to discuss directly with the school.
State testing results are available from the LEAP 2025 assessments administered in the most recent school year. Across all tested subjects, the share of students scoring at proficient or advanced levels is low. In English language arts, roughly a quarter of students met that bar. In math, the figure is lower. In science and social studies, the proportion is smaller still. These are numbers that point to an academic challenge many schools with similar economic profiles face. Because only a single year of data is reported, it is not possible to see whether performance is trending up or down. The school participated fully in testing, so the results reflect nearly all students in tested grades.
Collins Elementary does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to consider. Likewise, there are no data on chronic absenteeism or discipline, and the civil rights context is not documented here. The school is not a charter or magnet school, and its Title I status was not specified.
For families thinking about the broader district context, several changes are underway in Jefferson Parish. A school consolidation plan was approved in 2023, involving closures and mergers of schools across both the East Bank and West Bank, plus redrawing of attendance zones. The district has cited declining enrollment and aging facilities as drivers, and some parents have raised concerns about longer commutes and disruption. Budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year were also approved, with reductions in central office staff, transportation services, and program eliminations. On a more positive note, the district adopted a new evidence-based reading curriculum beginning in the 2023-2024 school year and received a federal grant to enhance STEM education across multiple schools.
Housing in the Marrero area is moderately priced relative to the national benchmark. Rents have been rising modestly, and home values have increased at a faster pace. The area has seen a gradual population decline over recent years, and the median household income is below the national figure. A parent considering this school may want to look into what the consolidation plan and attendance zone redrawing mean for their specific address, as school assignments could shift.
Judge Lionel R. Collins Elementary serves a community with significant economic need, and its academic outcomes on state assessments are low. The district is in a period of restructuring, and the school’s future may be affected by consolidation conversations. Families seeking higher proficiency rates or a wider array of program offerings may find the school’s current profile limited. For those rooted in the West Bank and looking for a neighborhood elementary school, Collins is the local option, but it would be wise to visit, talk to staff about current support programs, and understand how the district’s changes might affect the school in the coming years.
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